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Fri, 09 Dec 2016 13:54:23 +0000en-UShourly1Daily Deal: Pick up a Wireless Charging Battery Pack Cover for the Galaxy S7 for just $24.99http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/daily-deal-pick-up-a-wireless-charging-battery-pack-cover-for-the-galaxy-s7-for-just-24-99/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/daily-deal-pick-up-a-wireless-charging-battery-pack-cover-for-the-galaxy-s7-for-just-24-99/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 13:52:28 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67490If you’re an Amazon Prime customer and own a Galaxy S7, you’re going to love the promotion we’re highlighting today as part of our Daily Deal segment. For a limited time only, you can pick up an official Wireless Charging Battery Pack Cover for the handset for just $24.99. That’s an eye-watering saving of $65.

The Wireless Charging Battery Pack Cover is a must-have for anyone who often finds their device running low on battery towards the middle of the day. It’s essentially a 3,100mAh cell that attaches to the back of your device and wirelessly charges it up, while providing an extra layer of protection.

If you like the sound of the Wireless Charging Battery Pack Cover for the Galaxy S7 and want to take advantage of this great promotion, hit the Buy Now button below. We strongly advise you to hurry, though, as Amazon only has a limited amount of inventory available for this specific deal and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/daily-deal-pick-up-a-wireless-charging-battery-pack-cover-for-the-galaxy-s7-for-just-24-99/feed/0Official Nougat release for the Galaxy S7 will start with Android 7.1.1http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/official-nougat-release-for-the-galaxy-s7-will-start-with-android-7-1-1/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/official-nougat-release-for-the-galaxy-s7-will-start-with-android-7-1-1/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:47:32 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67488It has already been a few months since Android 7.0 Nougat was released for Nexus devices. Google then introduced Android 7.1 with its Pixel smartphones and earlier this week it rolled out Android 7.1.1 which includes several new features and improvements. Samsung is yet to release Nougat for its devices but it has been running a beta program through which select users can test beta builds of Android 7.0 on their Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge.

In response to a query from a member of the Galaxy Beta Program, Samsung has confirmed that the public release of Nougat will start with Android 7.1.1.

Android 7.1.1 is a minor update, it includes a new set of emoji, the ability to send GIFs directly from the keyboard in select apps and makes life easier by adding app shortcuts directly to the home screen. Users can launch actions on apps like Twitter and Google Maps by long pressing the app icon.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed when it’s going to publicly release Nougat for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge at least, it’s expected that the rollout will begin early next year.

Thanks, Henk!

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/official-nougat-release-for-the-galaxy-s7-will-start-with-android-7-1-1/feed/8International variant of the Galaxy C9 Pro receives Wi-Fi certificationhttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/international-variant-of-the-galaxy-c9-pro-receives-wi-fi-certification/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/international-variant-of-the-galaxy-c9-pro-receives-wi-fi-certification/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 11:23:05 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67486Earlier today, an unannounced Galaxy-branded handset (SM-C900F) was awarded its Wi-Fi certification credentials. Unfortunately, the documentation included in the listing doesn’t include any details about the device, but recent speculation ties its model number to the upcoming International variant of the Galaxy C9 Pro.

Expected to launch next year, the handset will pack identical specifications to the Chinese variant (SM-C9000) that was released last month, meaning it’ll continue to sport a 6-inch Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 653 octa-core CPU, 6GB of RAM, a 16MP front- and rear-facing camera and a 4,000mAh battery.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/international-variant-of-the-galaxy-c9-pro-receives-wi-fi-certification/feed/0Samsung reportedly supplying chips for self-driving cars to Teslahttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-reportedly-supplying-chips-for-self-driving-cars-to-tesla/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-reportedly-supplying-chips-for-self-driving-cars-to-tesla/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 09:09:43 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67483Samsung reiterated recently that it has no intention of actually making a car itself but it’s going to supply products and services to power the future of mobility. This is one of the reasons why Samsung decided to acquire Harman for $8 billion. A new report out of South Korea today claims that Samsung has inked a deal with Tesla which will see it supplying chips for the latter’s self-driving cars.

Last year, Samsung joined Audi’s Progressive SemiConductor Program as the first memory supplier. It sees the automotive industry as an avenue for future growth and Harman’s acquisition shows that it’s willing to invest more time and resources into this endeavor. Samsung is reportedly going to supply SoCs for Tesla’s self-driving cars. It’s apparently going to design and produce chips tailored to Tesla’s demands. A source mentioned in the report claims that this is a long-term project and that it might take up to three years for chip production to start.

Tesla isn’t the only electric car manufacturer that Samsung might end up working with. The company has already confirmed that it has signed a deal with upcoming Tesla rival Lucid Motors to supply it with battery packs. This particular report has not been confirmed by either Samsung or Tesla at this point in time.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-reportedly-supplying-chips-for-self-driving-cars-to-tesla/feed/0December security patch hitting the Galaxy S7 edge in Australiahttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/december-security-patch-galaxy-s7-edge-australia/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/december-security-patch-galaxy-s7-edge-australia/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 08:09:11 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67484Samsung is rolling out the security fixes for the month of November to the Galaxy S7 edge in Australia today. Like every security patch, this month’s update brings with it fixes for vulnerabilities found in Android and for those that affect only Samsung devices. The company detailed the December 1 patch earlier this week, and it looks like Australia is the first market where it is rolling out (at least from what we know).

The same update should be hitting the Galaxy S7 shortly and making its way to users in other markets in the coming days. Those in Australia should keep an eye out for the update notification on their phones; for those who can’t wait, the Download updates manually button in the Settings » About device menu should speed things up.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/december-security-patch-galaxy-s7-edge-australia/feed/4T-Mobile Digits will enable Gear S3 owners to use their primary phone number on the smartwatchhttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/t-mobile-digits-will-enable-gear-s3-owners-to-use-their-primary-phone-number-on-the-smartwatch/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/t-mobile-digits-will-enable-gear-s3-owners-to-use-their-primary-phone-number-on-the-smartwatch/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 07:24:02 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67478It has been over a year since AT&T launched its NumberSync feature which enables subscribers to access their primary phone number across multiple devices. NumberSync supports the Gear S2 and the Gear S3 so users can remain connected even if they leave their smartphone behind. T-Mobile has now announced a similar service called Digits. It takes things up a notch by not only allowing users to access their primary number on multiple devices but also allowing them to access multiple numbers on a single device. T-Mobile Digits will support cellular models of the Gear S2 and the Gear S3.

Digits has been launched as an invite-only beta right now and it will be opened to all subscribers early next year. It’s currently available as an app on other platforms but joint development between T-Mobile and Samsung brings Digits support straight into the dialer app of the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S7 series as well as the Galaxy Note 5. Users only need to launch the dialer app and pick the number they want to use if they’re relying on Digits to use multiple numbers on a single device.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/t-mobile-digits-will-enable-gear-s3-owners-to-use-their-primary-phone-number-on-the-smartwatch/feed/0You can now stream content from Google Play Movies & TV on Samsung Smart TVshttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/you-can-now-stream-content-from-google-play-movies-tv-on-samsung-smart-tvs/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/you-can-now-stream-content-from-google-play-movies-tv-on-samsung-smart-tvs/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 06:50:47 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67473Good news for folk with a 2016 model of Samsung’s Smart TV: You can now stream movies and TV shows stored in your Google Play Movies & TV library directly to your TV, in addition to having the facility to use your remote to browse the service’s selection of content to start watching something new right away.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to stream movies or shows in 4K just yet as that privilege is reserved for Chromecast Ultra and Sony Bravia Android TV owners residing in Canada and the United States. Although, it’s believed to make its way to additional devices next year.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/you-can-now-stream-content-from-google-play-movies-tv-on-samsung-smart-tvs/feed/0Samsung to supply electric car batteries to budding Tesla rivalhttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-to-supply-electric-car-batteries-to-budding-tesla-rival/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-to-supply-electric-car-batteries-to-budding-tesla-rival/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 06:47:53 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67474Samsung’s battery-making affiliate has been in the news for the past couple of months due to the Galaxy Note 7. It was the main supplier of batteries for that unfortunate flagship smartphone but Samsung SDI is now moving forward. The company has inked a deal with budding Tesla rival Lucid Motors to supply lithium-ion battery cells for its high-end electric sports sedan. Lucid Motors has already shown off a prototype of its 1,000 horsepower all-electric sedan, it’s setting up a $700 million factory in Arizona to manufacture the car.

Samsung SDI already supplies batteries to several electric and hybrid car manufacturers so this is nothing new for the company. At one point it was rumored that Samsung SDI might even supply batteries to Tesla but that’s not happening. The partnership with Lucid Motors will see it collaborating with the company on next-generation cylindrical cells “that are able to exceed current performance benchmarks in areas such as energy density, power, calendar life and safety,” according to a joint statement released by the two companies.

“The breakthrough battery life demonstrated by the new cell from Samsung SDI will be of tangible benefit to our customers, particularly companies with ride-sharing services operating around the clock,” adds Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s chief technology officer, who previously worked as chief engineer for Tesla and played an important role in the development of the Model S sedan.

Terms of the deal between Samsung SDI and Lucid Motors have not been disclosed.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/samsung-to-supply-electric-car-batteries-to-budding-tesla-rival/feed/2Galaxy Note 7 may be remotely disabled by Samsung in the US next weekhttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/galaxy-note-7-may-be-remotely-disabled-by-samsung-in-the-us-next-week/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/galaxy-note-7-may-be-remotely-disabled-by-samsung-in-the-us-next-week/#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 06:33:21 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67471Samsung’s exchange and refund program for the Galaxy Note 7 has been running for a couple of months now and the company has been able to recover most of the units that it shipped out. However, there are many who still continue to use the ill-fated flagship and that’s an issue for Samsung. It has been taking some steps recently to get those units back as well, we’ve seen the company work with local carriers in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada to end network access for the Galaxy Note 7. According to a new report, Samsung is going to take it a step further in the United States by sending out an update next week which will remotely disable the Galaxy Note 7.

At least one Galaxy Note 7 users on US Cellular has received an alert stating that “As of December 15th, Samsung will modify the software to prevent the Galaxy Note 7 from charging. The phone will no longer work.” Similar reports haven’t come in as yet from subscribers of the four major networks in the country but if Samsung is going to take this step then it’s highly likely that Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint will be on board as well.

Samsung has already released an update in the United States a few weeks ago that limits the handset from charging the battery past 60 percent. It also displays a pop-up every time the phone’s screen is turned on which reminds users that the handset has been recalled and needs to be returned.

The company has previously been cutting network access to the Galaxy Note 7, it wouldn’t become completely useless, if this update is sent out next week Galaxy Note 7 owners in the United States won’t be able to get much use out of their handset. They’ll be left with a very expensive paperweight.

]]>http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/09/galaxy-note-7-may-be-remotely-disabled-by-samsung-in-the-us-next-week/feed/2State of the update: Samsung’s policy is slowly improvinghttp://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/08/samsung-update-policy-improving/
http://www.sammobile.com/2016/12/08/samsung-update-policy-improving/#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:00:42 +0000http://www.sammobile.com/?p=67332It has become something of a hobby for many in smartphone land: bemoan Samsung’s unreliable update policy. Many of our visitors come to do just that, and we play the game ourselves from time to time. However, as controversial as it may sound, slowly but surely hell is freezing over, at least in some markets. Samsung is getting better with regard to software updates. Though perfection is a long way away, bear with us as we examine recent developments.

It has now been over two years since Samsung announced it would simplify its smartphone portfolio, and by and large, this is exactly what has happened, at least in some markets. For example, in Europe the Galaxy lineup has become fairly simple: the Galaxy J series covers the low end of the market, the Galaxy A series is the mid-range, and the S series are Samsung’s sole high-end offering since the demise of the Note 7.

Now, we know things aren’t as clear-cut elsewhere, especially not since Samsung started to muddle things up in a big way this year with the launch of too many different Prime and Pro variations of the On and J series phones, primarily in Asian markets. But for the purpose of this treatise, we’ll focus first on markets where things have indeed become simpler.

Of course, in between these big updates, there are the security patches. The first generation A series get them a few times a year, while popular devices launched in 2016 receive them pretty much on a monthly basis. But what is more is that security updates now keep coming long after the last significant Android update has finished rolling out.

In 2016, for example, Samsung has provided security patches for the Galaxy S4. This three-and-a-half-year-old device is still being kept up-to-date, security-wise. And before you complain that up-to-date does not include an update to an Android version higher than Lollipop, keep in mind that newer software does not equate to an improved user experience. We have an actual first-generation iPad Mini lying around here, which received iOS updates until recently, rendering it near-useless. Our Galaxy S4 hasn’t suffered as much and is still very usable (despite coming out only a few months after that iPad). But that is, in fact, besides the point.

It seems that, for the core of its device portfolio, Samsung is not only providing two full Android updates but rolling out security updates long past that point – at least for devices in its mid-range portfolio and higher. In 2017 we will learn if the same applies to its Galaxy J lineup (minus all dirt-cheap Galaxy J1 and J2 variants). The first generation Galaxy J5 received its portion of Marshmallow last summer and autumn, while also receiving security patches regularly, even if not monthly. The newer J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) have yet to get a big Android update, as they are currently on Marshmallow, but they too have been getting regularsecurity fixes in recent months.

So, a Galaxy older than three-and-a-half years still getting security patches, mid-range devices getting multiple full Android updates, and even parts of the low-end being kept neatly up-to-date are all signs that Samsung is putting genuine effort into improving its overall update effort. Though this development will surely have been stimulated by legal proceedings targeting exactly this topic, the improvements cannot be denied.

However, as we pointed out earlier, things are not that simple. There are still plenty of spin-off devices on the market that do not keep up properly. For example, while the original Galaxy S5 is still getting security patches on a monthly basis, the Galaxy S5 Neo, which is about half as old, is already lagging in this respect. And while the Galaxy S5 Mini will eventually be getting its dose of Marshmallow, Samsung is doing so in an inexplicably slow fashion.

If only the problem were confined to spin-off models (Mini’s, Neo’s, Value Editions, etc.) that will eventually disappear from the market, all Samsung would have to do is sit out the coming year, and it would be left with a set of neatly up-to-date Galaxy devices, and a policy to keep things secure.

Still, Samsung is Samsung, and the clear-structured portfolio described above has once more gotten muddled in some markets. Despite the company so far refraining from releasing any S6 spin-offs (there’s no S6 Mini, Neo or Value Edition), things have gotten seriously complicated in the low-end portfolio in many Asian countries. Not only is there the additional On series, but the chaotic addition of 2016-generation devices, Pro variants and Prime editions has quickly made a mess of what seemed to be a portfolio on its way of being cleaned up. It is too early to tell, but this does not bode well for the future updates of at least the cheapest of these devices.

Overall, however, there are reasons to be optimistic about Samsung’s improving ability to keep Galaxy devices updated and secure, even if this primarily applies to its portfolio’s mid-range and high-end sections. A solid two-year period of Android updates and an even longer period of regular security patches seem to be where the company is headed.

In the lower realm of the Galaxy, however, things look less rosy. While some devices might get at least one big Android update, it remains to be seen how well each single device variant will be kept safe through security patches. Some of those devices are dirt-cheap, but not all are.

Leaving you with a short conclusion, we can recap saying there’s cause for both concern and optimism, but the fact that any analysis of Samsung’s update policy leaves room for optimism (next to criticism) is an improvement worth noting.